US embassy cable - 04AMMAN9779

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 009779 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KPAL, IS, JO 
SUBJECT: KING MEETS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS; JORDANIANS 
WATCHING RUN-UP TO PALESTINIAN ELECTION WITH INTEREST 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 9210 
     B. AMMAN 9437 
 
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. (U)  In the wake of Yasser Arafat's death and amidst 
preparations for the Palestinian elections, Jordanians are 
cautiously optimistic that a new window of opportunity now 
exists to move the peace process forward.  The government of 
Jordan has pledged moral support for the upcoming vote, and 
announced it is "not opposed" to Palestinian residents in 
Jordan participating.  King Abdullah told Palestinian leaders 
during a recent visit to Amman that Jordan would do what it 
could to encourage the international community to help create 
conditions conducive to free and fair elections.  End Summary. 
 
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JORDAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR UPCOMING ELECTION 
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2.  (U)  Jordanians are guardedly optimistic that the smooth 
leadership transition after Arafat's death and pending 
elections are laying the groundwork to restart peace 
negotiations (ref a).  King Abdullah offered moral support to 
a Palestinian delegation headed by Mahmoud Abbas during its 
recent visit to Amman, and he pledged that Jordan would press 
the international community to do what it could to help the 
Palestinians achieve a suitable environment for the voting 
process, according to Jordan's official news agency Petra. 
He reiterated Jordan's support for the road map as the only 
viable means for achieving a two-state solution. 
 
3.  (U)  Meanwhile, GOJ spokesperson Asma Khader said that it 
is in the Palestinians' "interest" to invite international 
monitors to facilitate the elections, but noted that Jordan 
had not received any request from the Palestinian authorities 
to send election monitors.  She also said that the GOJ is not 
opposed to Palestinian residents in Jordan participating in 
the election "in line with arrangements by the Palestinian 
Authority," adding: "Their status will be like any other 
non-Jordanians residing in the Kingdom. 
 
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JORDANIANS WATCHING THE PROCESS CLOSELY 
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4.  (C)  Jordanians are watching developments in the 
Palestinian arena with interest, and anticipate an active and 
interesting race for the presidency.  Ureib Rintawi, a 
Jordanian-Palestinian journalist who grew up in Wihdat 
refugee camp and now runs a prominent think-tank in Amman, 
told Poloff that he was very surprised that the Palestinian 
leadership transition went so smoothly.  "Frankly, I expected 
things to be much more chaotic," he said.  Referring to the 
recent fracas over Jordan's election law (ref b), he noted 
the irony of the fact that two neighbors in "complete 
upheaval" -- Iraqis and Palestinians -- could hold elections. 
 Jordanians, he quipped, cannot even talk about electoral 
reform without a mini-crisis breaking out. 
 
5.  (C)  Munib al-Masri, a Jordanian-Palestinian businessman 
who hails from Nablus, and one of the wealthiest private 
citizens in Jordan, told Poloff that he had seriously 
considered running for the presidency, but opted out to avoid 
taking votes away from Abu Mazen.  He shared a copy of a 
letter stating his support for the Fatah leader, and 
expressed optimism that the election will open a new chapter 
for Palestinians who "just want a way out of this mess." 
 
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COMMENT 
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6.  (C)  Jordan's ability to tangibly help the Palestinian 
election process is limited.  Heavy Jordanian involvement 
opens the King up to criticism of meddling in Palestinian 
affairs by those who suspect Jordan's intentions.  However, 
the GOJ will take its lead from the Palestinians, and will 
accommodate limited requests for help.  The election process 
will be closely watched by activists pushing for political 
reform in Jordan, hopeful that a successful outcome will help 
spur action on electoral reform. 
 
7.  (U)  Baghdad minimize considered. 
 
Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at 
http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through 
the Department of State's SIPRNET home page. 
HALE